2007
Annual Report

UC Statewide IPM ProgramHIGHLIGHTS

UC offers information about light brown apple moth

When the light brown apple moth appeared in California in early 2007,
the UC IPM Program produced a new brochure to answer the public's questions
about this troublesome pest.

Written by nine UC scientists and reviewed by experts from across the
U.S. and from Australia and New Zealand, the publication was developed
quickly to fill the immediate need for information by UC Cooperative Extension
county staff and their clientele.

Because the larvae eats more than 250 plant species, including grapes
and other key crops, state and federal governments began an eradication
campaign. The moth had never before been found in North America until it
was identified in the San Francisco Bay area in February.

The university publication answers questions about how to identify the
moth, its biology, management alternatives and regulation, and possible
impacts on California commodities and residential areas.

The moth is native to Australia and has been found in Alameda, Contra
Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa
Clara, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Solano counties.

USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the CDFA have interstate
and intrastate quarantines in effect. Keeping the pest from spreading to
other areas of the state is critical, and this will be accomplished by
regular monitoring with traps, inspection, treatment of infested nursery
stock or other commodities, and destruction of green waste. Regulators
are using pheromones in some locations to disrupt moth mating.

New Viruses

UC IPM has produced two new brochures to help growers identify tomato
yellow leaf curl virus and cucurbit yellow stunting disorder.

In March 2007, the virus that causes tomato yellow leaf curl popped up
in greenhouse tomatoes being grown by a high school science class in Imperial
County. Because this disease is new to California and potentially devastating
for tomato production, agencies have produced an informational brochure
to help curtail its spread.

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus is a member of a family of viruses that
are spread by whiteflies or leafhoppers. The virus infects peppers, some
tobacco species, and a range of weed species, but tomato is, by far, the
most important host.

With input from UC Davis plant pathologist Robert Gilbertson, the
UC IPM Program developed a brochure to help growers and pest control advisors
learn about the disease, how to identify it, and what to do if they suspect
that their plants are infected. Color photos illustrate disease symptoms
and the whiteflies that spread the virus.

In fall 2006, cucurbit yellow stunting disorder was found for the
first time in California and Arizona. The virus that causes this disease
was identified in melons and squash grown in Imperial County, Calif., and
around Yuma, Ariz. Because this disease has the potential to devastate
cucurbit crops, it is critical to limit its spread.

The UC IPM Program has developed a brochure to inform growers about this
disease, how to recognize it, what to do if they find diseased plants,
and what management strategies can be used to prevent establishment and
spread of the disease.

For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See our Home page, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance.